PLAIN clothed police officers have been called in because of youths causing problems outside a Loughborough supermarket.

PLAIN clothed police officers have been called in because of youths causing problems outside a Loughborough supermarket.

Morrisons, in Maxwell Drive, has turned into a hotbed for gangs in the afternoon and evenings during the summer holidays.

Elderly shoppers have reported a number of incidents to the police, including verbal abuse, intimidation and crowding outside the main doors.

In response to the recent complaints, the police have actively sent out extra patrols, including plain clothed officers.

Last weekend, they visited more than 100 houses asking residents of the Gorse Covert area of town to list their concerns, including the problems recently blighting the supermarket.

They have also set up a ballot in the store and interviewed 60 shoppers to measure the extent of the concern - the results of which are still being collated.

Sgt Kevin Wright, of Loughborough police, said: "There has been some activity outside Morrisons supermarket with youths hanging about under the canopy.

"Some, but not all, have been getting quite boisterous and this has upset some of the elderly shoppers.

"We have responded to these concerns and at the moment are finding out what residents think. We have also issued out a number of warning letters in an attempt to curb their behaviour."

A Morrisons spokesman added: "We always seek to ensure that shopping in all our stores is as comfortable and safe an experience as it can possibly be for all our shoppers.

"We understand that some members of the public feel uncomfortable with the gangs of youths that congregate in the precinct area outside our Loughborough store, therefore members of our security staff encourage gangs to move away from the area, and liaise with police when necessary."